Neon Tetras

[RaquelLabotka]

Hi, guys!
 
So I was reading about Neon Tetras and that they like a more acidic environment. As I have said in another post, I have a 10 gallon tank with 1 ghost shrimp and one platy at the moment. I want to add 6 Neon Tetras to the mix (adding 3, waiting for the biological filter to catch up and then adding the last 3. No more fish after that since the tank will be at capacity). My pH is around 7.2 - 7.4 and a friend of mine said, Neon Tetras would possible not survive in an alkaline environment. I have read around here that we shouldn't mess with pH and that the important thing is a stable pH. Would Neon Tetras be okay in my tank? Should I add driftwood? My tank only has 1 real plant at the moment (Anubias Nana).

 

[StevenF]

My PH matches yours and I have black neon tetras in the tank.  The neons will be fine in that PH.

 

[julielynn47]

I have neons in my tank and the PH is 7.8.  They do fine.  I have had some of them for years

 

[Byron]

The GH is more important than pH when it comes to soft vs hard water fish, provided the pH is not extreme and here it is not.  If you could find out the GH (general hardness), and while there the KH (carbonate hardness or Alkalinity) of your source water from the website of your municipal water authority, it would help us.
 
Moving beyond that for the moment, platy are livebearers and these fish need moderately hard or harder water, with a basic (= above 7.0) pH.  Neons are the opposite, requiring softer water to thrive.  There is some overlap, depending, but until we know the GH/KH numbers it is not feasible to recommend either.  There is no reason to "try" this or that fish if the water parameters are significantly outside the species' preference as it weakens the fish and cause various health issues down the road.
 
However, the tank size is another issue here.  There are so many factors that play into an aquarium, and they inter-relate, so it would be better to sort out the parameters before looking at new fish.  This is difficult to explain especially in few words, but every aspect of an aquarium that is "pushing the limit" so to speak for fish is contributing to the whole picture.  All of these things cause stress, and stress is the cause of 95% of all fish disease.
 
Byron.

 

[RaquelLabotka]

I couldn't find the information for GH and KH anywhere online. I will buy the API liquid test and update you guys when I know.

 

[Byron]

I couldn't find the information for GH and KH anywhere online. I will buy the API liquid test and update you guys when I know.

 
Before spending money for a test kit you may only use once, perhaps a local fish store will test the GH.  If you do this, make sure you ask them for the number, and the unit of measurement.  Otherwise we will still be in the dark.
 
You could also call your water authority.  They have to test their water and should be able to tell you the general or total hardness.
 
Byron.

 

[marylousnews320]

I have neon tetras and my Ph is 7.4. I have tried everything to lower the ph and had no luck. I have had the same neons for over a year so I would say it's better to have stable oh if you have to pick between stable and low. I have heard good things about driftwood. I live in theBirmingham Alabama area. There are no good tropical fish stores around here that I know of. Any ideas?? Thanks


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[Byron]

I have neon tetras and my Ph is 7.4. I have tried everything to lower the ph and had no luck. I have had the same neons for over a year so I would say it's better to have stable oh if you have to pick between stable and low. I have heard good things about driftwood. I live in theBirmingham Alabama area. There are no good tropical fish stores around here that I know of. Any ideas?? Thanks


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You are very correct in that a stable pH is better for fish than one that fluctuates substantially, as it usually does when you are trying to adjust it.
 
It is usually impossible to adjust the pH without dealing with the GH and KH, as these are closely connected.  I won't go into the method, but simply wanted to note that without knowing the GH/KH and dealing with it (depending what it is), the pH is best left alone.  Organics like wood, dried leaves, fish waste, etc will tend to lower pH because of the CO2 produced, but here again the GH/KH will determine the extent to which this may (or may not) occur.
 
Byron.

 

[marylousnews320]

Thanks Byron, I appreciate the feedback. I have added driftwood to the tank and I will be watching to see if the PH lowers some. In the meantime, the neons seem happy and healthy,so I'm leaning towards leave well enough alone! Thanks again


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